We are heading to an Origin decider after NSW decimated Queensland in Perth. A Tom Trbojevic triple paved the way for a big win. LIVE BLOG
James Maloney and Tom Trbojevic have steered NSW to a historic 38-6 rout of Queensland, sending this year’s State of Origin series to a decider.
Maloney set up two tries, kicked five goals, and also shifted to halfback for the second half after an ankle injury to Nathan Cleary on Sunday night. Centre Trbojevic, who recorded the first NSW hat trick since 2005, was also dominant in his return for the Blues.
A record Optus Stadium crowd of 59,721 braved a first-half downpour for the first Origin game in Perth.
And the locals were entertained by a NSW masterclass sparked by two men absent for game one but were recalled under different circumstances. Maloney was seemingly out of the Origin picture as late as last Sunday morning, when Mitchell Pearce was set to be recalled only to rule himself out with injury.
Trbojevic was two games back from a hamstring injury, and his first-half double gave Brad Fittler’s men an 18-6 halftime lead.
Back-to-back penalty goals took the advantage beyond two tries, before the Blues blew the game open with another two tries in the space of three minutes. Trbojevic got his third when he finished off a 70-metre team effort in the 55th minute, and then Josh Addo-Carr got on the end of a Wade Graham grubber. A string of six consecutive penalties meant a ragged Queensland could barely muster a punch in the second half.
Addo-Carr completed the big win with his second in the closing stages. Trbojevic was a threat from the onset, getting over the line in the fourth minute only to be held up by desperate cover defence.
But he didn’t have to wait long to post first points, roaming into the middle to chase a Maloney bomb and soar over Kalyn Ponga four minutes later. Controversy marred Queensland’s response when referee Gerard Sutton ruled a penalty try for Will Chambers in the 14th minute.
The Maroons centre was chasing an early Ben Hunt grubber only to be impeded by counterpart Jack Wighton as the ball rolled dead.
The Blues regained the ascendancy after Tyson Frizell ran a good right-edge line to score, and the lead should’ve doubled when the Blues’ had a three-on-one opportunity.
Only Maloney threw his cutout pass to Addo-Carr forward.
However NSW still took a 12-point lead into the sheds when James Tedesco rounded Michael Morgan and found Trbojevic supporting on the inside. Maloney kicked the conversion after an ankle injury to Cleary, who tried to play through the pain but was substituted at halftime.
Maroons prop Jarrod Wallace was put on report for tackling the legs of Maloney while kicking in the 49th minute.
The deciding game will be playing at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on July 10.
"The boys had a really big game," Maloney said.
"I thought everyone played their part. We backed ourselves to play footy.
"We didn't shy away from the physical confrontation, and I thought our first half was really controlled and probably really set up the game."
Wow!
What a second half from NSW. We are going to a decider in Sydney after the Blues tied up the series in emphatic fashion in Perth.
A hattrick to Tom Trbojevic, a double to Addo-Carr and the cameo from Tyson Frizell added up to a huge win.
"In Origin, when you get the momentum, you need to hold on to it and I thought our kick-chase was outstanding tonight," Cordner said.
"So, look, we needed to come and win this game. We did that."
NSW win! #Origin pic.twitter.com/ipbBCru77c
— NRL (@NRL) June 23, 2019
And that's the final nail for Queensland as Josh Addo-Carr crosses for his second.
brilliant lead up play from Maloney and Graham before Wighton gets the ball to Add-Carr.
Maloney converts from the sideline and NSW have absolutely run away with this one.
They might have the lead but NSW aren't taking it for granted. Scrambling defence keeps the Maroons at bay there.
The Blue wave!
Giver turned receiver as Addo-Carr with a try of his own now after a point-perfect Wade Graham grubber finds its mark.
Maloney misses his first of the night but it's NSW by plenty at the moment.
Addo-Carr – Tedesco – Trbojevic… Perfection!
The Fox makes a break down the side before palming Gagai off (and didn't we just love seeing that!) and passing to Tedesco.
Teddy makes some more metres before flicking the ball to his right and who is there to bag it? None other than Tom Trbojevic who goes on to score his hat-trick.
Maloney converts and NSW extend their lead.
TOMMY TURBO TRIPLE 😱🔥
— NRL (@NRL) June 23, 2019
The first @NSWRL Blues hat-trick since 2005.
NSW lead 28-6 after 55 mins.#Origin pic.twitter.com/2s5B9SMCKS
Plenty of back and forth early on in this second half and NSW are travelling all right without Cleary on the field.
Maloney gets his legs cut from under him while kicking on the fifth to get a penalty. he converts to add two more to the score.
Another penalty after the kick-off gets NSW on the attack again.
We are back underway and some huge news from the NSW camp – Nathan Cleary is gone for the night with an ankle injury. Wade Graham joins James Maloney in the halves.
Not ideal for the Blues!
By Nick Campton
The Blues lead Queensland 18-6 after a wild and wet half in the west.
James Maloney's impact has been apparent with the Penrith playmaker laying on two tries and kicking a 40/20 in an excellent return to Origin football.
Melbourne toughman Dale Finucane was elevated to the starting side on debut and has duly rewarded Brad Fittler with an excellent initial display, controlling the middle of the field and, along with Tyson Frizell, helping the Blues to dominate the middle.
Queensland look a little stuck in the mud, with their forwards struggling to get anything going and their backs not quite able to get involved.
A great first half. Still a long way to go. #uptheblues pic.twitter.com/w7qYYX5uPv
— NSW Blues (@NSWRL) June 23, 2019
A handy lead at the break for NSW but we all saw what happened in game one.
Fittler will have his work cut out for him in the sheds.
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